Will post-Brexit Britain return to upper-class snobbery?

After returning from my English vacation in June, I spent July creating a new children’s book, and reading Down and Out in Paris and London, by George Orwell. His memoir of the struggles involved with poverty in those two cities in the late twenties and early thirties is outstanding. It made me think of my life in England before immigrating to Canada in 1974. I was born and lived in England until my late twenties, so I’ve experienced the peculiarities of the British class system, and though Orwell doesn’t dwell on the divide between the classes, after reading his memoir, I was reminded of the difficulties being at the lower end of the class spectrum in England.

The Class System.

While the lower-working class looked down their noses at the under-class, the upper-working class detested the lower working-class. The lower-middle class were ignored by the middle-middle class, and the upper-middle class thought themselves superior to both lower and middle classes. Despite the snobbery of the upper-middle class, they were seen as inferior to the upper class. (Did you get all that?!). Teachers and doctors were considered gods and not to be questioned. People with a common accent were expected to refrain from endeavors that would place them above those with posh accents. Lower classes loved soccer: higher classes, golf, tennis, and the arts. Inherited wealth was glorified, whereas earned wealth was despised.

A loosening of the Class System.

My being a member of the lower-working class was one reason I left England to begin a new life abroad. Not until Britain joined the European Union did I notice a slackening of the binds that kept the lower classes in their place. For example, by the nineties, people with regional accents could be heard reading the news on a BBC television broadcast; an idea unheard of during my time in England. Irish, Welsh, and Scottish accents were now accepted, and embraced, in television dramas. The class system was modified to sound less elitist. For example, they now have the precariat (under-class), the emergent services (lower-working class), traditional workers (upper-working class), new affluent (lower-middle class), technical (middle-middle class), established (upper-middle class, and the elite (upper class). Apparently the class of a person is now determined solely by wage and not accent nor location. This, I believe, was due to Britain joining the EU, and the intermingling of British folks with other European nations. It had opened their minds.

U.K post-Brexit.

But, what now? Might Brexit see a return to the previous class system in Britain, which, incidentally, had never been fully swept under the carpet. By limiting interaction with Europeans, will the English population once again revert to a more Victorian mindset where the so-called lower classes are despised, and opportunities denied? I dread it.

The popular TV drama Downton Abbey did not portray life between the classes accurately. In reality, M’lord or M’lady would never have spoken to the downstairs staff except the butler and ladies’ maids. The goings-on between the downstairs staff and the problems they encountered would not have reached upstairs. Truth is, upstairs were snobs, not the kind-hearted employers Downton Abbey led us to believe.

So, could it happen? Could the UK post-Brexit return to upper-class snobbery? After all, anything can happen behind closed doors.

Barbara Studham’s bio:

Barbara Studham, the memoir writer. I wrote my first #FASD memoir titled Two Decades of Diapers in 2014; my second #FASD memoir titled Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Teen Years in 2016. Both cover the twenty years I parented four grandchildren with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Barbara Studham, the fiction writer. I also write fiction, including the English seaside series, Under the Shanklin Sky. Barbara Studham, the children’s FASD picture book creator. My latest creation is a children’s #FASD picture book series titled Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. See, THE SCHOOL DAY, FIDGET! and ADVOCATE! on AMAZON. Soon available: THE BIRTHDAY BASH. All books available from AMAZON.

Welcome to Seaford, UK.

After spending several days in London, UK, where I visited many landmarks including Tower Bridge, the Freud Museum, Tate Modern, the Pickle, and the Tower of London, I travelled on to Seaford on the south coast of England for a week beside the seaside.

Seaford, UK, Vacation

After the noise and bustle of London city, Seaford provided a quiet haven where I could relax and enjoy the scenic views. And what wonderful views they were! Rolling hills, high cliffs, rough sea, squawking gulls. Here are a very few of the numerous photos I snapped while there.

Cream Tea in Seaford, UK, and day visits to Eastbourne and Brighton, UK.

One of my favorite cafes in Seaford was The Church Lane Tea Room where I enjoyed Cream Teas. The Cream Tea included rhubarb jam, clotted cream, and freshly-baked cranberry and almond scones. Mmmmm…. delicious! I also visited Eastbourne and Brighton. With numerous activities to enjoy in both places, my favorites were the piers.

Barbara Studham, the memoir writer. I wrote my first #FASD memoir titled Two Decades of Diapers in 2014; my second #FASD memoir titled Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Teen Years in 2016. Both cover the twenty years I parented four grandchildren with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Barbara Studham, the fiction writer. I also write fiction, including the English seaside series, Under the Shanklin Sky. Barbara Studham, the children’s FASD picture book creator. My latest creation is a children’s #FASD picture book series titled Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. See, THE SCHOOL DAY, and, FIDGET! on AMAZON. Soon available: The Birthday Bash, and, ADVOCATE! All books available from AMAZON.

The National Gallery in London, UK, is a must see!

During my vacation to the UK, I visited The National Gallery in London. It wasn’t my first visit, but the Gallery never disappoints. Taking photos of the beautiful artwork is permitted, so I took many, some of which I have posted below. While all the pieces are outstanding, one in particular was breathtaking. It was of Madame de Pompadour, painted by Francois-Hubert Drouais.

The National Gallery, London, U.K.

The reason this painting caught my eye, was Drouais’ attention to detail, especially the lace on Madame de Pompadour’s dress. Here are some photos of her portrait and close-ups of the fabric. Imagine having that talent.

The National Gallery, London, U.K.

There is so much to see at The National Gallery. A tour can take hours, but there are cafes, and Gallery stores in which to pick up mementos of your visit. I purchased small prints of my favorite art. Large prints are available. Prices in the store go from very reasonable to very expensive. Souvenirs range from pens, to purses, to prints, and everything in between. Admission to the Gallery is free, however, there are special showings of artists’ works that come with a small entrance fee.

The National Gallery, London, U.K.

Here are photos of The Gallery, Trafalgar Square at the main entrance to The Gallery, and Vincent van Gogh’s famous paintings: Van Gogh’s Chair 1888, and, Sunflowers, 1888.

The National Gallery, London, UK. barbarastudham.com

Trafalgar Square London UK. barbarastudham.com

Vincent van Gogh. barbarastudham.com

Vincent van Gogh. barbarastudham.com

Barbara Studham’s bio:

Barbara Studham, the memoir writer. I wrote my first #FASD memoir titled Two Decades of Diapers in 2014; my second #FASD memoir titled Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Teen Years in 2016. Both cover the twenty years I parented four grandchildren with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Barbara Studham, the fiction writer. I also write fiction, including the English seaside series, Under the Shanklin Sky. Barbara Studham, the children’s FASD picture book creator. My latest creation is a children’s #FASD picture book series titled Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. See, THE SCHOOL DAY, and, FIDGET! on AMAZON. Soon available: The Birthday Bash, and, ADVOCATE! All books available from AMAZON.

THE GROSVENOR PUB, PIMLICO, LONDON, UK.

Whether we like to admit it or not, finding a good place to eat while on vacation is important. Great food adds to the holiday, and is often included in our conversation on our return home. My favorite place to eat during my recent London, UK, vacation was at The Grosvenor Pub on Grosvenor Road.

The Grosvenor Pub in Pimlico, London, UK, on Grosvenor Road.

The Grosvenor Pub in Pimlico, London, UK.

The atmosphere inside British pubs is awesome. People chatting, laughing, getting tipsy. To have great food available simply adds to the ambiance. I had heard that British pub food is dismal, but this certainly was not the case during my vacation. I especially enjoyed the menu at The Grosvenor Pub. Situated on Grosvenor Road in Pimlico just yards from the River Thames, it offers a great daily menu at reasonable (for London!) prices.

From the variety of choices, I chose the fish and chips, which arrived promptly. The service was great and the food irresistible with two large portions of fish.

Fish and chips at the Grosvenor Pub in Pimlico, London, UK, on Grosvenor Road.

Two days later, I returned to The Grosvenor, and ordered hamburger and fries which I forgot to photograph because I was so hungry after a day touring London, but the portion was considerable with great flavor.

One stop I made while in London was at The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Simply divine artwork. I will share pictures in my next post.

In the meantime, if you have plans to visit Pimlico in London, UK, don’t miss The Grosvenor Pub.

Barbara Studham’s bio:

For over twenty years, Barbara Studham has parented grandchildren diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Her two memoirs: Two Decades of Diapers, and, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Teen Years, describe her challenges during their toddler years and teens. She has also written fiction, including a six-book series titled, Under The Shanklin Sky, set in the seaside town of Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight. She is currently creating a children’s FASD picture book series Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Now available in the series is, THE SCHOOL DAY, and, FIDGET! Soon to be released – THE BIRTHDAY BASH! and ADVOCATE!

Memoir Writing Sessions

I recently held memoir-writing sessions at Turner Park Library in Hamilton ON. A fantastic group of people attended, all with different stories to tell. Please enjoy the photos of the few bold attendees who granted me permission to post their pictures. Others were too shy and preferred not to be shown. However, during the first session, there were twelve attendees.

I assumed some people would have started their memoir, whereas others might still be in the thinking-it-over stage, so, for Session 1, I created a worksheet from which all worked at the same pace. Intermittently, people shared what they had written during the worksheet exercises, and the group heard some wonderful stories.

During Session 2, I discussed bringing dialogue into the narrative, writing back and forth in flashbacks, bringing humor into a tense situation, making your true feelings known, and killing the adverb tags.

Session 3 saw us commenting on the group’s work. Those who had begun their memoir shared written pieces, and gathered suggestions for improvement. Thank you to everyone who attended.

Barbara Studham’s bio.

For over twenty years, Barbara Studham has parented grandchildren diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Her two memoirs: Two Decades of Diapers, and, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Teen Years, describe her challenges during their toddler years and teens. She has also written fiction, including a six-book series titled, Under The Shanklin Sky, set in the seaside town of Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight. She is currently creating a children’s FASD picture book series Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Now available in the series is, THE SCHOOL DAY, and, FIDGET! Soon to be released – THE BIRTHDAY BASH!

Promotion is key!

Promoting one’s books is difficult as it is often regarded as bragging, so when others review or promote my books, I am very appreciative. I want to give a shout out to the following people for their support.

Edmonton and area Fetal Alcohol Network Society

Edmonton and Area Fetal Alcohol Network Society recently posted about my series on Facebook. It is always a nice surprise to log into Facebook and see my books staring back at me. THE SCHOOLDAY, and, FIDGET! are the first two in the, Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, series.

THE SCHOOL DAY focuses on the challenges of students with FASD. FIDGET! highlights the hyperactivity of kids with FASD, and how their fidgeting irritates people who do not understand the symptoms of the disorder. Currently in progress is the third in the series, titled THE BIRTHDAY BASH! Children with FASD are rarely invited to children’s birthday parties as the loud noises and activities can overwhelm their senses causing them to break down. THE BIRTHDAY BASH tells what happens when Strawberry & Cracker attend their big brother’s birthday party.

Nofas.org Weekly Round Up

In their Weekly Round Up, nofas.org mentioned my new children’s FASD picture book FIDGET! Here is a blurb on the contents of the book.

BOOK BLURB for FIDGET!

Meet Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome who live with their grandma and her dog, Thunder. The twins struggle with fidgeting. All children fidget, but a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome frequently over-fidgets, thereby annoying people who do not understand impulsive behaviors. However, there are strategies to calm the child and control fidgeting.

FIDGET! introduces the reader to Strawberry & Cracker’s typical fidgeting scenarios. While no one strategy for avoiding fidgeting will work for every child, Grandma realizes the importance of discovering which ones work for the twins. By discussing those strategies with other adults, she hopes people will apply the calming methods and lessen the stress of fidgeting.

Heather Lamb with paints at the ready to illustrate THE BIRTHDAY BASH!

I also want to thank Heather Lamb who is working on the third book in the Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome series, titled THE BIRTHDAY BASH!

Book blurb.

THE BIRTHDAY BASH! Meet Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The twins live with their grandma and her dog, Thunder. Big brother, Rocky who lives with his foster dads, their two children, and dog Millie, is turning thirteen. When Rocky invites the twins to his birthday party, Grandma recalls previous disastrous celebrations involving the twins. Rocky’s foster dad, Sergio, suggests strategies for a successful party, but during the festivities, the twins become overwhelmed and spoil everyone’s fun. When things get too loud, Grandma and the twins make a hasty retreat!

Soon to be released on AMAZON!

REVIEWS ARE APPRECIATED!

Barbara Studham’s bio.

For over twenty years, Barbara Studham has parented grandchildren diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Her two memoirs: Two Decades of Diapers, and, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Teen Years, describe her challenges during their toddler years and teens. She has also written fiction, including a six-book series titled, Under The Shanklin Sky, set in the seaside town of Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight. She is currently creating a children’s FASD picture book series Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Now available in the series is, THE SCHOOL DAY, and, FIDGET! Soon to be released – THE BIRTHDAY BASH!

Don’t forget to register!

On Wednesday April 25th, May 2nd, and May 9th, 2018. 1:00-3:00 pm I will be encouraging participants to write their memoir. The sessions will be held at Turner Park Library, 352 Rymal Road East L9B1C2 Hamilton, ON. Whether you are writing your memoir, or you are a new writer, you are welcome to attend to learn how to compile your memoir. Register at 905-546-4790, as seating is limited.

When you have registered, mark the sessions on your calendar or phone. See you there!

Barbara Studham’s bio:

For over twenty years, Barbara Studham has parented grandchildren diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Her two memoirs: Two Decades of Diapers, and, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Teen Years, describe her challenges during their toddler years and teens. She has also written fiction, including a six-book series titled, Under The Shanklin Sky, set in the seaside town of Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight. She is currently creating a children’s FASD picture book series Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Now available in the series is, THE SCHOOL DAY, and, FIDGET!

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Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Children’s FASD Picture Book Series Children’s FASD Picture Book Series. Strawberry & Cracker are twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome who live with their grandma. The series is designed to fulfill several needs. to offer children with FASD a fun picture book featuring characters and daily challenges to which […]

New Release! Strawberry & Cracker, Twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – ADVOCATE! I created ADVOCATE! a children’s FASD picture book for children aged 5-12 in support of September’s FASD Awareness Day, but with kids now firmly settled back in school, ADVOCATE! makes a great FASD teaching tool not only for children but also teachers. Educators […]